2/28/24, 8:05 PM Excel: Filtering Data

Excel
Filtering Data

Introduction
If your worksheet contains a lot of content, it can be difficult to find information quickly.
Filters can be used to narrow down the data in your worksheet, allowing you to view
only the information you need.

Optional: Download our practice workbook.

Watch the video below to learn more about filtering data in Excel.

Excel: Filtering Data

To filter data:
In our example, we'll apply a filter to an equipment log worksheet to display only the
laptops and projectors that are available for checkout.

1 In order for filtering to work correctly, your worksheet should include a

header row, which is used to identify the name of each column. In our

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example, our worksheet is organized into different columns identified by

the header cells in row 1: ID#, Type, Equipment Detail, and so on.

2 Select the Data tab, then click the Filter command.

3 A drop-down arrow will appear in the header cell for each column.

4 Click the drop-down arrow for the column you want to filter. In our
example, we will filter column B to view only certain types of equipment.

5 The Filter menu will appear.

6 Uncheck the box next to Select All to quickly deselect all data.

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7 Check the boxes next to the data you want to filter, then click OK. In this
example, we will check Laptop and Projector to view only these types of
equipment.

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8 The data will be filtered, temporarily hiding any content that doesn't match
the criteria. In our example, only laptops and projectors are visible.

Filtering options can also be accessed from the Sort & Filter command on
the Home tab.

To apply multiple filters:

Filters are cumulative, which means you can apply multiple filters to help narrow
down your results. In this example, we've already filtered our worksheet to show laptops
and projectors, and we'd like to narrow it down further to only show laptops and
projectors that were checked out in August.

1 Click the drop-down arrow for the column you want to filter. In this
example, we will add a filter to column D to view information by date.

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2 The Filter menu will appear.

3 Check or uncheck the boxes depending on the data you want to filter, then
click OK. In our example, we'll uncheck everything except for August.

4 The new filter will be applied. In our example, the worksheet is now filtered
to show only laptops and projectors that were checked out in August.

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To clear a filter:
After applying a filter, you may want to remove—or clear—it from your worksheet so
you'll be able to filter content in different ways.

1 Click the drop-down arrow for the filter you want to clear. In our example,
we'll clear the filter in column D.

2 The Filter menu will appear.

3 Choose Clear Filter From [COLUMN NAME] from the Filter menu. In our
example, we'll select Clear Filter From "Checked Out".

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4 The filter will be cleared from the column. The previously hidden data will
be displayed.

To remove all filters from your worksheet, click the Filter command on the
Data tab.

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Advanced filtering
If you need a filter for something specific, basic filtering may not give you enough
options. Fortunately, Excel includes several advanced filtering tools, including search,
text, date, and number filtering, which can narrow your results to help find exactly
what you need.

To filter with search:

Excel allows you to search for data that contains an exact phrase, number, date, and
more. In our example, we'll use this feature to show only Saris brand products in our
equipment log.

1 Select the Data tab, then click the Filter command. A drop-down arrow
will appear in the header cell for each column. Note: If you've already
added filters to your worksheet, you can skip this step.

2 Click the drop-down arrow for the column you want to filter. In our
example, we'll filter column C.

3 The Filter menu will appear. Enter a search term into the search box.
Search results will appear automatically below the Text Filters field as you
type. In our example, we'll type saris to find all Saris brand equipment.
When you're done, click OK.

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4 The worksheet will be filtered according to your search term. In our

example, the worksheet is now filtered to show only Saris brand
equipment.

To use advanced text filters:

Advanced text filters can be used to display more specific information, like cells that
contain a certain number of characters or data that excludes a specific word or number.
In our example, we'd like to exclude any item containing the word laptop.

1 Select the Data tab, then click the Filter command. A drop-down arrow
will appear in the header cell for each column. Note: If you've already
added filters to your worksheet, you can skip this step.
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2 Click the drop-down arrow for the column you want to filter. In our
example, we'll filter column C.

3 The Filter menu will appear. Hover the mouse over Text Filters, then select
the desired text filter from the drop-down menu. In our example, we'll
choose Does Not Contain... to view data that does not contain specific text.

4 The Custom AutoFilter dialog box will appear. Enter the desired text to the
right of the filter, then click OK. In our example, we'll type laptop to exclude
any items containing this word.

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5 The data will be filtered by the selected text filter. In our example, our
worksheet now displays items that do not contain the word laptop.

To use advanced number filters:

Advanced number filters allow you to manipulate numbered data in different ways. In
this example, we'll display only certain types of equipment based on the range of ID
numbers.

1 Select the Data tab on the Ribbon, then click the Filter command. A drop-
down arrow will appear in the header cell for each column. Note: If you've
already added filters to your worksheet, you can skip this step.

2 Click the drop-down arrow for the column you want to filter. In our
example, we'll filter column A to view only a certain range of ID numbers.

3 The Filter menu will appear. Hover the mouse over Number Filters, then
select the desired number filter from the drop-down menu. In our example,
we'll choose Between to view ID numbers between a specific number
range.

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4 The Custom AutoFilter dialog box will appear. Enter the desired number(s)
to the right of each filter, then click OK. In our example, we want to filter for
ID numbers greater than or equal to 3000 but less than or equal to 6000,
which will display ID numbers in the 3000-6000 range.

5 The data will be filtered by the selected number filter. In our example, only
items with an ID number between 3000 and 6000 are visible.

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To use advanced date filters:

Advanced date filters can be used to view information from a certain time period, such
as last year, next quarter, or between two dates. In this example, we'll use advanced date
filters to view only equipment that has been checked out between July 15 and August
15.

1 Select the Data tab, then click the Filter command. A drop-down arrow
will appear in the header cell for each column. Note: If you've already
added filters to your worksheet, you can skip this step.

2 Click the drop-down arrow for the column you want to filter. In our
example, we'll filter column D to view only a certain range of dates.

3 The Filter menu will appear. Hover the mouse over Date Filters, then
select the desired date filter from the drop-down menu. In our example,
we'll select Between... to view equipment that has been checked out
between July 15 and August 15.

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4 The Custom AutoFilter dialog box will appear. Enter the desired date(s) to
the right of each filter, then click OK. In our example, we want to filter for
dates after or equal to July 15, 2015, and before or equal to August 15,
2015, which will display a range between these dates.

5 The worksheet will be filtered by the selected date filter. In our example, we
can now see which items have been checked out between July 15 and
August 15.

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Challenge!
1 Open our practice workbook.

2 Click the Challenge tab in the bottom-left of the workbook.

3 Apply a filter to show only Electronics and Instruments.

4 Use the Search feature to filter item descriptions that contain the word
Sansei. After you do this, you should have six entries showing.

5 Clear the Item Description filter.

6 Using a number filter, show loan amounts greater than or equal to $100.

7 Filter to show only items that have deadlines in 2016.

8 When you're finished, your workbook should look like this:

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